COVID-19: 6 new cases detected in Kashmir, total 56 in J&K

JAMMU, Mar 31: The COVID-19 cases have soared in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir with new seven cases reported from Kashmir division on Tuesday, taking the total toll to 56 positive cases in Kashmir."6 new positive cases confirmed in Kashmir Division. All contacts of previous positive cases. Meanwhile, contact tracing continues in both Jammu and Kashmir Divisions. Please cooperate." Tweeted J&K government spokesman Rohit Kansal said.Pertinently with two deaths, both from Srinagar and two recoveries one each from Kashmir and Jammu, the total no of positive cases so far is 55 with active 51 cases.As per reports around 865 persons from J&K included Jammu, Rajouri, Udhampur, Reasi, RS Pura, Samba, Poonch, Doda, Khour, Budgam, Kupwara, Baramulla Srinagar, have attended ‘Markaz’ along with 2,000 people at a mosque in Delhi's Nizamuddin area, which has thrown up several corona positive cases maybe a ticking time bomb as six of the persons who returned to J&K and Telangana after attending the congregation have died from the virus and positive cases.Meanwhile amid a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir, government has started “aggressive contact tracing” of the detected cases of the disease."Aggressive contact tracing of positive cases key to control spread of #Coronavirus. Yesterday several areas surrounding location of positive cases or untraced contact cases had to be sealed in Jammu, Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, Rajouri.” government spokesperson, Rohit Kansal tweeted on Tuesday morning."This is purely in the interest of controlling spread of #coronavirus, and helping identification of contacts on real time basis. Inconvenience so caused is temporary in nature but benefits will be immense. Request all to cooperate and take it in right spirit." Kansal later tweetedHe said that areas surrounding the residences of the persons detected positive for COVID-19 on Monday across J&K had been sealed.Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Shahid Choudhary, who retweeted Kansal’s post, said that it was “important and indispensable” to seal the areas. He said that the respective areas will be restricted “till all precautions and measures are in place”.Several areas in Jammu, Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian & Rajouri sealed for aggressive Contact Tracing of positive Cases, J&K Govt said on Tuesday.As per reports 20 villages included Parray Mohalla Hajin, Chandergeer Hajin, Batagund Hajin in Bandipora dist, Gudoora, Chandgam, Pinglena, Parigam, Abhama,Sangerwani & Khaigam in Pulwama dist, Waskura in Ganderbal,Sedew & Ramnagri in Shopian dist., Mehjoor Nagar, Natipora, Lal Bazar, Eidgah & Shalteng in Srinagar dist. & Chadoora in Budgam district of Kashmir div have been declared as Red Zones for Covid-19.According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), out of 56 positive cases, 51 are Active Positive, 02 have recovered and 02 have died. Regarding the location of positive cases, 43 are from Kashmir division and 12 from Jammu Division.Till date 15001 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance which include 9895 in home quarantine including in facilities operated by government, 350 persons in Hospital Quarantine, 51 in hospital isolation and 3334 under home surveillance. 1371 persons have completed their 28 days surveillance period.The Bulletin further said that till date 861 samples have been sent for testing of which 804 have tested as negative, 55 positive and 02 reports are awaited till March 31, 2020.Meanwhile, in case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24x7 at their door steps by calling on toll free No. 108. Pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialling toll free No. 102.Furthermore a 24x7 toll free national helpline number 1075 has been activated for support, guidance, and response to health related queries on novel coronavirus disease. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has also set up helpline numbers in this regard: 0191-2549676 (UT level Cell for J&K), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 and 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division).According to the advisory, people are advised to remain calm & not to panic as the prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 in the UT are being monitored at the highest level and necessary action to protect and safeguard the lives of people have been taken by the Government. “The Government has undertaken aggressive contact tracing and testing campaign that is why surge has been found in the number of confirmed positive cases,” the advisory reads. People have been requested to stay indoors, strictly implement social distancing measures, disclose recent travel history to covid-19 affected countries / areas and report any contact with positive cases voluntarily. General public has been advised to avoid unnecessary visit to hospitals, in case anyone develops fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical advice promptly by calling on Covid-19 helpline numbers so that they can be provided correct medical advice and directed to the right health facility, if needed. “People must take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent hand washing with soap & water; and observing coughing & sneezing etiquettes,” the Government advisory added.Advising public to strictly follow the advisories issued by the government from time to time, the Advisory urged people to rely only on the information released by the government in this regard through the daily media bulletin to print & electronic media. Furthermore, people are advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.